By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has revealed plans to train 500,000 youth in vocational skills over the next four years.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show, Ofosu said the initiative aims to empower youth to acquire skills and set up their own businesses.
“We thought it necessary to have a system where we train these youth in various vocational skills that enable them to set up on their own, A painter doesn’t need a shop; what he needs is to establish contacts with people who want to paint their houses and he gets a job done,” he said.
The program will cater to various trades, including dressmaking, welding, masonry, electrical work, and auto mechanics. “Every step of the way, these skills enable those who are quiet to earn income,” Minister Ofosu added.
The government has allocated GHC 300 million for the initiative, starting with 10,000 trainees this year and scaling up to 500,000 over the next four years. Ofosu emphasized the president’s commitment to involving women in the program, with an affirmative action policy targeting 45% female participation and an additional 5% for persons with disabilities.
“If we’re able to take out 500,000 from the almost 2 million unemployment figures, that will be a significant improvement on the situation,” he stated.
